City round-up: Dechra Pharmaceuticals; AJ Bell
Northwich-based vet products group Dechra announced today that Alison Platt will be appointed as its chair, with effect from January 1, 2022 . Tony Rice will step down from the board on December 31, 2021.
Alison joined the Dechra board as a non executive director in March 2020, she has extensive board experience gained in non-executive roles at Bupa Arabia, Cable & Wireless, Skills for Health and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She is currently a non executive director at Tesco, Spectrum Life and chair of Legal & General Financial Advice.
In September 2021, the company announced that Tony Rice, who has been chairman for five years, wished to retire from the board to devote more time to family and other business and charitable activities.
Dechra also announced today that Denise Goode, non executive director, has informed the board that, due to other commitments, she has decided to tender her resignation and step down from the board and leaves the company on November 30, 2021.
Julian Heslop will re-assume the role of audit committee chairman until a successor is appointed.
Chief executive, Ian Page, said: “I am delighted that Alison has accepted the chair following Tony’s retirement at the end of the year.
“I look forward to working with Alison in her new role. Since joining us as a non executive director in 2020, Alison has gained a good understanding of Dechra and our culture.
“Her extensive leadership experience and skills will further enhance the team’s capabilities. I would also like to acknowledge Tony’s contribution to the development of the group. We wish him all the best.”
He added: “I would like to thank Denise for her positive and professional contribution to the group. I wish her all the very best for the future.”
Alison Platt said: “I am delighted to have been offered the position as Dechra’s chair and very much look forward to continuing to work with everyone at Dechra and continuing to build on the successful growth of the company.”
Tony Rice said: “It has been my privilege and pleasure to work with Ian, his management team and the board and be part of its evolution, witnessing its growth, and the delivery of great products and services to our customers whilst returning strong returns to our shareholders.
“I would like to also congratulate Alison on her forthcoming appointment and to wish Denise every success in her future, too.”
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Laura Carstensen
AJ Bell, the Manchester-based investment platform, announced today that Laura Carstensen, senior independent director and chair of the remuneration committee, has informed the board that she does not want to be put forward for re-election at the company’s 2022 annual general meeting.
The 2022 AGM is expected to be held in January 2022, at which time Laura will have served on the board for just under four years.
The board said it is pleased to announce the appointments of Evelyn Bourke as the company’s new senior independent director and, subject to FCA approval, Margaret Hassall as the new chair of the remuneration committee, in each case with effect from the end of the 2022 AGM .
The board will keep its composition under review to ensure it remains appropriate in terms of its size, independence and diversity.
Les Platts, chair of AJ Bell, said: “Laura has made an enormous contribution to the board during the transition from being a private company to a listed FTSE 250 one and I would like to thank her for her commitment and dedication. Laura leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”
Laura Carstensen said: “It has been a pleasure to have served on the AJ Bell board during such a transformative period and I wish the business continued success over the coming years.”
